Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival Will Hold Its First Ever Silent Disco

Heralded as the “Coachella of Asia,” the seventh edition of the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival gets underway this month in the foothills of Mt. Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Produced by Volume Unit Entertainment and hosted by the d’Aboville Foundation and Demo Farms, the festival isn’t just about music or art; since its founding in 2011, it’s aimed to spread awareness about indigenous people and the environment.

Among the visiting artists in this year’s musical lineup features Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez; Australian soul jazz artist Jordan Rakei, and Canadian electronic music artist Tennyson. Local performers and ensembles include Apartel, Jeck Pilpil & Peacepipe, Similar Objects, Crwn, Curtismith, RH Xanders, Skarm, Moophs, and Microphone Mechanics. A novel concept being introduced at the 2017 festival is the “Silent Disco.” Here, participants will be given headphones where they can choose their favorite among competing DJs. The local and international beat-masters selected to compete for the crowd’s approval are Lefto, Kristian Hernandez, Br3aking Silence, Badkiss, The Diego’s Mark Zero, and Miro.

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IMAGE Volume Unit Entertainment

The art component of the festival has gone from strength to strength, and this year is no different. This formidable gathering of top contemporary artists will include artworks and installations by Agnes Arellano, Wawi Navarroza, Ling Quisumbing Ramilo, Olivia d’Aboville, Denis Lagdameo, Jinggoy Buensuceso, Lena Cobangbang, and many more. In the festival’s heightened efforts to promote local tourism and culture, it has scheduled eco-tours of Puerto Galera, coastal cleanups, and workshops and cultural interaction with the local Mangyan community who will teach visitors about their lifestyle and language, as well as showcase their beaded jewelry, fabrics, and other handicrafts.

IMAGE Volume Unit Entertainment

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March 10 to 12, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. For more information about Malasimbo 2017, follow @malasimbofestival on Facebook and Instagram, and @malasimbofest on Twitter.